The state of New Jersey is a hot recruiting territory for linebackers this year and Michigan has taken great interest in several prospects at that position in the state. They already have a commitment from weak side linebacker Marcus Witherspoon of South Jersey and last weekend hosted Wayne (N.J.) Valley's Chris Pantale.

In July, the 6-5, 235-pound Pantale listed a top three of Virginia, Boston College and Michigan. He had talked at that time about possibly making a trip to Ann Arbor in August. He and his father, Bill Pantale, took that trip last Friday and Saturday.